Hole in the heart of Hawkeye Nation

Iowa Hawkeye Athletics lost The Greatest Hawkeye Fan Ever when George (Tommy) Thompson III passed away last week at age 86. Over 75 years, Thompson attended 751 Hawkeye football games; thousands of basketball games, wrestling matches and practice sessions as well.

What made Thompson unique was that his fervor for the Hawkeyes never wavered through the lean years as well as the winning years. Thompson's friendships with iconic Hawkeye coaches and athletes gave him a unique and interesting perspective of Hawkeye sports history, because he lived it.

I had the pleasure of sitting across from him every Monday at Quarterback Club for 18 years and travelled with him to many of the Iowa Football away games over the last 10 years. At away football games, rain or shine, Thompson was in his seat 55 minutes before kickoff to see the Hawks warm up.

No matter how the game went, Thompson was there at the end for the final horn.

As Hawkeye fan interest ebbs and flows with the teams' winning percentages, Thompson's support for the Hawkeyes was constant. Going to all of those practices at the field, court and mat room, Thompson realized what kind of discipline, preparation, commitment and sacrifice it takes to become a successful Division I athlete.

He also knew that when athletes go through all of this preparation, it doesn't necessarily mean a victory on game day. He loved to win more than anyone, but he attended all of those games and practices to also acknowledge the efforts put forth by the players and coaches.

Thompson attended every football game last fall despite his own physical struggles. That was one of his personal goals?. and he succeeded!

It will be hard for me to walk in to Kinnick and Carver next fall without seeing his smiling face. There is now a small hole in the heart of Hawkeye Nation that will never be filled, because Tommy Thompson was truly one of a kind.

Dennis Miller

Coralville

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Hole in the heart of Hawkeye Nation

Iowa Hawkeye Athletics lost The Greatest Hawkeye Fan Ever when George (Tommy) Thompson III passed away last week at age 86. Over 75 years, Thompson attended 751 Hawkeye football games; thousands of